LA port terminal to be first in the world powered by 100% renewable energy

The Port of Los Angeles is going green with plans to transition a 40-acre cargo terminal to solar power and other renewable sources. Construction will begin this June on the Pasha Green Omni Terminal Demonstration Project that port officials said will be the world’s first marine terminal to generate all of its energy needs from renewables. The terminal will also be able to operate completely off the grid if necessary. The Port of Los Angeles is partnering with Pasha Stevedoring and Terminals L.P. on the $26.6 million project that is expected to take two years to complete. The California Air Resource Board awarded a $14.5 million grant for the project with Pasha contributing $11.4 million in cash and in-kind participation.

“This is a Wright Brothers moment,” said Jeffrey Burgin, senior vice president of Pasha. “We’re going to be the proving ground to change the paradigm of how large industrial facilities can run on clean energy. We’re confident we can show this is absolutely attainable.”

A solar microgrid will include include a 1.03 megawatt photovoltaic rooftop array, a 2.6 megawatt-hour battery storage system, charging equipment and an energy management control system. The project will also include a vessel exhaust treatment system and nine zero emissions electric vehicles — four electrified yard tractors, two high-tonnage forklifts, two drayage trucks and an electric top handler.

The environmentally friendly improvements are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,200 tons per year; eliminate 56,000 pounds per year of diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and other harmful emissions; and create the clean air equivalent of taking 14,100 cars off the road per day.